Navy Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Navy Hall |
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Navy Hall's stone walls encase the original wood building
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| Location | Fort George, Ontario, Canada |
| Built | 1765 (original) 1815 (rebuilt/current) |
| Original use | Naval establishment |
| Governing body | Parks Canada |
Navy Hall is a special building with a wooden inside and a stone outside. It was once the very first place where the government of Upper Canada (which is now Ontario) met. This happened from 1792 to 1796.
Navy Hall is part of the Fort George National Historic Site. You can find it in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, which was called Newark, Upper Canada back then. It sits right by the Niagara River, close to Fort George. Across the river, you can see Fort Niagara.
Contents
Navy Hall started as a place for the navy in 1765. It was built by Royal Naval Commanders. It had a small shipyard, docks for boats, storage areas, and homes. It was a key spot for getting supplies and moving goods to other places on the upper Great Lakes.
During the American Revolution, navy ships and their crews would spend the winter here. In 1792, John Graves Simcoe became the first leader, or Lieutenant-Governor, of Upper Canada. He turned one of the buildings at Navy Hall into his home and office.
The First Parliament
In 1792, the very first meeting of Upper Canada's government happened in a tent near Navy Hall. The first time they met inside Navy Hall was on September 17, 1792.
The next year, Governor Simcoe decided to move the capital city. He chose York, Upper Canada (which is now Toronto). He thought York would be safer from attacks from the United States. Even though the new government buildings were being built in York, Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake) stayed the capital until 1796.
After the government moved, Navy Hall was used as a dining hall for officers from nearby Fort George.
Rebuilding and Later Uses
During the War of 1812, American cannons destroyed Navy Hall. After the war, the British rebuilt some of the fort's buildings. Today's Navy Hall is the only one left from that rebuilding.
The building you see today was originally a wooden storehouse. It was built shortly after the War of 1812. In 1838, it became a barracks, a place where British soldiers lived, during the Rebellion of 1837-38.
During World War I, Navy Hall was used as a medical supply center. It helped Canadian soldiers who were getting ready to go overseas from Camp Niagara. In the 1930s, the Niagara Parks Commission moved the building to where it stands now. They also added the stone walls around it.
Today, Parks Canada manages Navy Hall as part of Fort George. It's one of several important historical sites in the Niagara area.
Navy Hall can be rented for special events. However, it is usually closed to the public because there aren't enough staff. Inside, it holds many old items from its more than 200 years of history.
You can visit the area around Navy Hall. There are outdoor signs that tell its story. You can also see the Simcoe Memorial monument. It's a peaceful spot with great views of the Niagara River and Fort Niagara in New York. Parking is available, and you can even take a steamboat ride from a nearby dock.
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